SECRETARY'S REPORT. 41 



beyond these, and to investigate each element and the influence 

 it is capable of exerting upon the growth of plants, and to 

 ascertain its money value from this influence ; and until this 

 end shall be accomplished we cannot arrive at the true economy 

 of manuring, and agriculture must so far remain imperfect and 

 empirical. 



Some soils need the stimulus of ammonia for instance ; 

 others require the various phosphates. Guano is rich in these, 

 and Peruvian guano is the cheapest form in which to purchase 

 ammonia ; but other substances are richer in the phosphates, 

 and the end may be attained cheaper than by the use of guano. 



The difficulties in the way of arriving at a real approxima- 

 tion to the value of each constituent of a manure are many and 

 great ; but they are such as will, in the course of time, be 

 overcome ; and when the exact value of each simple substance 

 is established, we shall know better how to mix it with otliers so 

 as to produce specific results, with some degree of certainty. 



Something has, indeed, already been done, and inquiries in 

 this most important department of farming, — the application of 

 manures, — have assumed a more exact form, and are becoming 

 more and more valuable. Scientific men in other departments, 

 like that of astronomy, for instance, have greatly aided each 

 other by associated effort, by means of which, observations 

 made in one part of the world are speedily made known to all 

 others. A like concert of action is needed among farmers, and 

 particularly experimenters in agriculture, by means of which 

 some greater uniformity might be obtained in the experiments. 

 By tliis means, also, a greater division of the labors attending 

 minute investigations would be attained, and greater accuracy 

 and care secured. It has been justly remarked, that those who 

 attempt to experiment often undertake too much, and thus 

 render their results less valuable and reliable. Much may, and 

 undoubtedly will be done, by farmers' clubs, and other associa- 

 tions, for this purpose. 



The importance of making accurate meteorological observa- 

 tions in connection with all experiments in the field, is too 

 obvious to need comment. Arrangements will be made here- 

 after to supply this w^ant at the State Farm, and accurate obser- 

 vations, it is hoped, will throw light upon results, which, without 

 them, might appear inexplicable. 



